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IN last week's paper you featured a letter from M J Glover, curator of the Fusiliers Museum, opposing any move to retain the Lancashire Fusiliers' Memorial in its present setting in Bolton Road, Bury.
He is, of course, entitled to his view but I do however, take exception to his attempt to misrepresent my character.
First he states that a meeting was arranged at the Barracks on November 21 and that I sadly was unable to attend', as if I was being discourteous. This is not true.
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In fact, the meeting was not arranged with myself but I did agree to attend on that day and was about to leave home to walk down when I received a phone call from the PA to the Leader of the Council to say he had another more urgent meeting and so the meeting had been cancelled. The cancellation was not of my doing so I resent any suggest that this was the case.
Second he states that he has sent me several invitations to come to the Barracks to discuss the situation. To the best of my recollection I received one letter on May 12, 2006, following a press article last year about my opposition to moving the memorial.
This invited me to attend a briefing meetings on the project to move the Museum (and memorial) out of Church Ward. As I have opposed such a move, my attendance did seem inappropriate and a recipe for conflict and I declined to attend.
I have, of course, visited the museum and adjacent facilities many times over many years for military, social, cultural and charitable purposes.
Personal issues aside, I do feel that Mr Glover does not appreciate the basis of modern planning laws which restrict a free for all approach to changes to your own property.
Even if Mr Glover wished to extend his own home or business he would still need permission from the local council and those affected would have a right to comment. Even more so with the memorial which affects far more than just immediate neighbours.
Of course, the memorial does not legally belong to Church Ward (how could it) but clearly many residents believe it belongs in Church Ward.
It has been situated here on Bolton Road for 85 years and people should be allowed to object to its removal if they wish to do so. It is situated in a beautiful floral garden, well maintained by the council, and is arguably the finest part of our Ward's urban landscape with many people visiting the site to remember their relatives.
Mr Glover agrees the move is an emotive subject' warranting careful debate' and I would suggest that such a debate will take place as part of the planning application and listed building consent processes.
If those who are set on moving the memorial win the argument then it will go to the centre of Bury but my task is to gain support for those who prefer its historic position at the barracks site.
Since my letter, I have received letters, emails and phone calls from those supporting its retention.
I have been advised that the Lancashire Fusiliers Veterans would welcome the prospect of the memorial staying in situ at the barracks while widows, children and grandchildren of LF soldiers based there have expressed support.
Some local residents have reminded me that the ashes of up to 400 soldiers are in this sacred plot of land, some spread quite recently. I feel sure that the new town centre museum can be a successful project with £3.75 million behind it with or without the memorial's removal from its historic place. The town centre will continue to attract visitors even without the memorial but the Bolton Road area will be much the worse for its absence.
Posted by: Eileen Bourne, Bournemouth on 2:40pm Sun 30 Mar 08
The Memorial should stay where it is on the site of the old barracks.Why has everything to change ? It's in a prominent position on Bolton Road and well kept. I remember the barracks well as I was brought up in Connaught Street and would be saddened to see it moved.
The Memorial should stay where it is on the site of the old barracks.Why has everything to change ? It's in a prominent position on Bolton Road and well kept. I remember the barracks well as I was brought up in Connaught Street and would be saddened to see it moved.
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